Cleveland is off to an impressive start, having secured victories in its first 12 games, marking the best record in the league. In the Western Conference, there are currently 10 teams boasting winning records, while in the Eastern Conference, only two teams can claim the same success. This scenario has largely been influenced by a common factor affecting many teams: injuries seem to have taken a significant toll.
Key players such as Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have not played together for the Philadelphia 76ers yet this season. Additionally, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton is yet to make his season debut, and the Los Angeles Clippers are missing Kawhi Leonard. In New Orleans, the situation is concerning as the team is coping with injuries to CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray and is now set to be without Zion Williamson for several weeks. Orlando is expected to be without Paolo Banchero for at least another 10 games, while Toronto’s Scottie Barnes is also sidelined. Other notable absences include Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Memphis’s Ja Morant, and Miami’s Jimmy Butler, all facing one to two weeks off. The Oklahoma City Thunder are dealing with a setback as Chet Holmgren is expected to be out for an extended period after already missing a full rookie season and then participating in every game last season.
The absence of these star players is not just about injuries; it also poses challenges for their teams, as all of them are key contributors, with many recognized as All-Stars or even All-NBA talent when healthy. Following his latest injury, Holmgren expressed mixed feelings on social media, noting the beauty of recovery while also acknowledging the mental toll that such setbacks can impose.
The health issues permeating through the league are notable, especially considering the absence of longtime San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich due to medical reasons. The initial weeks of the NBA season have illuminated the breadth of these injury challenges as teams head into the start of the NBA Cup, which has replaced the previous In-Season Tournament name. Various opening matches will take place this week, including a significant game featuring Dallas visiting Golden State, where Klay Thompson will return to play in the Bay Area.
Thompson has tried to diminish the moment’s significance by calling it “just another regular season game in November.” However, Warriors’ star Stephen Curry indicates that it means much more than that, as the franchise prepares to honor Thompson’s contributions with a warm welcome.
For struggling teams like Philadelphia and Milwaukee, the NBA Cup could serve as an essential opportunity to rejuvenate their disappointing starts. The 76ers are set to receive a boost with Embiid’s return, and the Bucks will face Toronto in their tournament opener, although they will not have Damian Lillard due to a concussion.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers believes the NBA Cup will be taken more seriously this year by all teams, noting that players now have a better understanding of the tournament compared to last season when many were caught off guard by its structure. The format of the competition is straightforward, as teams are grouped into fives, compete against each other, and the top six group winners plus two wild cards advance to the quarterfinals. Successful teams will make their way to Las Vegas for the semifinals, where previous participants like Indiana gained valuable experience that served them well in later playoff pushes.
As the Pacers currently sit in a strong position in the East despite losing key players like James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to injuries, they are not immune to the injury crisis impacting the league. At the same time, the Cavaliers have managed to start the season strong without key player Max Strus, who has been out since preseason due to a severely sprained ankle.
Other teams, such as the defending NBA champions Boston Celtics, have also found ways to thrive despite absences, having navigated four games without star player Jaylen Brown and maintaining a commendable 9-2 record. Beyond the Celtics and Cavaliers, every other Eastern Conference team holds a record of .500 or lower as of the latest standings.
In Orlando, the team’s performance has dipped without Banchero, while the Thunder are also facing challenges without Holmgren. Coaches from both teams view these absences as an opportunity for other players to step up and adapt to new roles. However, the looming threat of falling too far behind in the early season remains a concern, as the current games could impact playoff seeding come April.